Speaker/Head unit upgrade.. decisions, decisions

I’m looking to upgrade my speakers from stock & install a new head unit, but I cannot decide on one as there’s so many options— especially with all the newer Android displays as well. So far this is what I’m considering:

Front speaker - Rockford Fosgate Punch series P165-SI (6.5” component)
Rear speaker - Rockford Fosgate Prime series

$74 R165-S 6.5” 2-Way Component Speaker System

R165-S (6.5” component)

As for Head unit, I’ve looked at Kenwood, Alpine, etc. vs Android units like Joying, Dasaita, Teyes plug & play displays & cannot decide for the life of me. Let me know what you guys think for this setup!

 

I have the Dasaita G13 - i like it simply because its an in dash computer! You can download apps and all sorts of "COOL" stuff.
https://www.dasaita.com/?ref=czrnuwzl

Unfortunately, i have had some issues with it. The fade function didnt work at first and Dasaita said it was this, then it was that. finally they provided an updated ROM that corrected it.
If you want the ability to download apps, like on your android or apple device, then the Dasaita, Joying and Teyes, would be options. Also look at DUDUAUTO and MEKEDE.

DUDUAUTO is supposed to have corrected the microphone issues that many of these android HU's have and that is, when making calls or receiveing them, its hard to hear the other person.

Check out these reviews on Andoid HU's before you buy one though. This guy evaluates all of them - https://www.youtube.com/@SaabUnleashed

 

I recently installed a Sony XAV-9000ES. Quite pricey but no complaints thus far. Android head units are definitely where it's at for basically having a computer like @purplenova said. I have a friend with an "iDoing" one in his girlfriends Subaru and it's fairly easy to do literally anything you want on it. That said, the Android head units 2 main drawbacks seem to be quality control and customer support can be a little iffy. Big name brand drawbacks are cost, and wayyy less ability to install/do anything, but (maybe) higher quality control and if purchasing from an authorized seller like Crutchfield, Best Buy etc. you get the warranty/support peace of mind.

Definitely pros and cons to both. If you're a tinkerer I'd say go the android route, but if you just want to set and forget and aren't interested in the open door access, I'd go the name brand route. Black Friday/Cyber Monday are right around the corner and you might be able to score a sweet deal on a big name brand one in the coming weeks.

 

Yeah, I like the freedom/variety the Android units provide. That being said, it's just a bit confusing with some of their variations for installation & not really knowing what truly fits in certain vehicles. I'm also not against the big name brands as I know the quality you get out of them, it's just a bit annoying having to pay for dash install kits separately on top of premium prices for the unit. From the research I have done, it seems more people are taking chances with the Android units over the long-standing big name brands, especially being 100% plug & play.

 

As far as the dash kits go I wouldn't worry about that too much, I think for the Tundras they're about $35, the big additional cost if going big name brand is the extra wiring harnesses/units to integrate into the factory. A popular solution and what I have is the iDatalink Maestro RR unit, but that adds ~$200 to the cost, you can get cheaper harnesses etc. for sure, but then with a dash kit you're looking at probably an additional $150-$250 to the total cost.

For plug and play route, Crutchfield now offers a pre-wiring service that's not too bad, roughly $30 to pre-wire the harness. I bought my head unit from TrailGridPro and it was totally plug and play but they mainly have options for '14-'21. They have a few for '07-'13 and they actually end up being the same price or slightly cheaper than Crutchfield and do all the wiring, Maestro set up, and setup with dash kit so everything comes put together and you just have to pull your factory and then put the new one in.

 

I went with

$1,049 kenwood dmx1037s 10.1" high definition car stereo receiver with capacitive touch panel

kenwood dmx1037s. Looks perfect on the dash and has a HD display (might only be 720p screen), when i was shopping around a lot of larger display headunits had garbage resolution.

Android Auto handles everything, cant do any of the "cool" things like Purplenova can, but waze and spotify work perfect.

 

Yep, I'm diggin' my Kenwood as well. (DMX1057XS)

 

you just plug a firestick into it?

 

Yes - and create a hotspot.

 

Yes.

It actually screen mirrors my Samsung phone wirelessly, or I can plug it into the HDMI-In port with a USB-C to HDMI cable but the screen mirroring doesn't completely fill the screen. Easily watchable, but not quite the same impact as fullscreen.

I saw @AZBoatHauler post his Firestick ball game pics the other day and had a spare Firestick laying around so I went out and tried it, and Voila!

I was parked in front of the house so on my home network in those pics. Haven't tried the hotspot yet.

My work pays for my cell phone so I should probably find out if it's an unlimited plan before I head out on a cross country hot spot Netflix binge watching road trip.

 

What kind of cell phone do you have?

The little button on your 1037 just to the left of the one that says "Voice" on the bottom right is for Screen Mirror. (You may already know this)

It links right up to Samsungs, others may be hit/miss.

 

i've got a pixel 8pro, i think only the samsung's do the screen mirror.

At least i think mine will output the video through the type c port, so thats something.